Madisonville

Madisonville, the seat of Madison County, is on a league of land granted by the Mexican government to Job Starks Collard, a member of Stephen F. Austin's "Old 300." Both the county and city are named for President James Madison. About 400,000 pounds of fresh mushrooms are produced weekly at Monterey Mushrooms Inc., contributing to Madisonville's official designation by the Texas Legislature as the Mushroom Capital of Texas. The city also is home to the annual Texas Mushroom Festival in October. May features rodeo events conducted by the Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen's Association. Lake Madison Park, features a 75-acre reservoir, boat ramp, fishing, picnic areas and sports fields. Madisonville is on Texas 21, which traces part of the historic El Camino Real route that runs from Natchitoches, La., to Mexico City.